New Jersey comes in fresher and looks a lot like the team that's been pounding the Western Conference. The Devils went 5-1 in Dallas and 5-2 in Vegas on their trip, losing only a 5-2 game in Colorado in between. Hellebuyck stayed unbeaten in the Vegas win, and Arseny Gritsyuk scored 2 goals. Edmonton played Sunday. The Devils haven't played since that Friday in Vegas, so they get 3 full days at home to rest before Tuesday.
The question for the Devils is Anthony Mantha. He left the Vegas game with an undisclosed injury, and Sheldon Keefe had no update afterward beyond saying the winger would be evaluated back in New Jersey. He's listed day-to-day. The long break helps him more than anyone, but until he skates there's a hole on the right side. Seamus Casey is still out after his knee procedure, so the blue line is the same one that held Dallas and Vegas to 1 goal and 2.
This one should be decided in the crease. Jarry has been close to perfect for a week. If Babcock rides him again, Edmonton has its best goalie going against a Devils team that has scored 5 goals in 3 of its last 5 games. Hellebuyck hasn't lost yet this season. For New Jersey, that means the Oilers' recent run of keeping the other team off the board will be tested in the one building on this trip where they're up against a goalie playing at least as well as their own.
Both teams are winning with goaltending and defense, so goals should be hard to come by. Edmonton has the better record and more rest questions. New Jersey has the schedule edge and the goalie nobody has beaten yet this season. It should be a good watch on a Tuesday in November.
